Fluid & Electrolyte Nclex Questions and Answers
(100% Correct Answers)
Nurse would be most concerned about which lab values obtained fro ma client
receiving furosemide (Lasix) therapy?
a. BUN 20
b. K 3.4
c. Creatinine 1.1
d. K 3.2
Ans: d. K = 3.2
Furosemide inhibits reabsorption of sodium, water, and K leading to diuresis. ** The
most common electrolyte disturbance associated with furosemde admin is
hypokalemia
Nurse inserts a nasogastric tube, and it immediately drains 1000 mL of fluid. Which
of the follwoing electrolyte level is of greatest concern at this time?
a. Na
b. K
c. Cl
d. CO2
Ans: b. K
Hypokalemia is almost universal complication of loss of gastric hydrochloric acid.
Metabolic alkalosis results. Other electrolytes may be affected, but not to the degree
of potassium homeostasis is altered.
The nurse should observe for a Trousseau sign in the client with which of the
following electrolyte abnormalities?
a. Hypokalemia
b. Hyponatremia
c. Hypochloremia
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d. Hypocalcemia
Ans: d. Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia causes excitability of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle tissues.
Evidence of this is seen in the Trousseau sign, a carpopedal spasm.
The WBC count of a client is 18,000. the nurse attributes this value to which of the
following health problems of this client?
a. arthritis
b. alcoholism
c. viral infection
d. wound dehisience
Ans: d. wound dehisience
Tissue injury can cause an increase in WBC
The majority of the body's water is contained in which of the following fluid
compartments?
A. interstitial
B. intracellular
C. extracellular
D. intravascular
Ans: B. intracellular
If the blood plasma has a higher osmolality than the fluid within a red blood cell, the
mechanism involved in equalizing the fluid concentration is
A. osmosis.
B. diffusion.
C. active transport.
D. facilitated diffusion.
Ans: A. osmosis.
An elderly woman was admitted to the medical unit with dehydration. A clinical
indication of this problem is
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A. weight loss.
B. full bounding pulse.
C. engorged neck veins.
D. Kussmaul respiration.
Ans: A. weight loss.
Implementation of nursing care for the patient with hyponatremia includes
A. fluid restriction.
B. administration of hypotonic IV fluids.
C. administration of a cation exchange resin.
D. increased water intake for patients on nasogastric suction.
Ans: A. fluid
A patient is receiving a loop diuretic. The nurse should be alert to which of the
following symptoms?
A. restlessness and agitation
B. paresthesias and irritability
C. weak, irregular pulse and poor muscle tone
D. increased blood pressure and muscle spasms
Ans: C. weak, irregular pulse and poor muscle tone
Which of the following patients would be at greatest risk for the potential
development of hypermagnesemia?
A. 83-year-old man with lung cancer and hypertension
B. 65-year-old woman with hypertension taking -adrenergic blockers
C. 42-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and renal failure
D. 50-year-old man with benign prostatic hyperplasia and a urinary tract infection
Ans: C. 42-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and renal failure
It is especially important for the nurse to assess for which of the following in a
patient who has just undergone a total thyroidectomy?